If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do we have baby teeth?” this blog post is for you. At Innovative Pediatric Dentistry in Naperville, we specialize in helping kids maintain healthy, happy smiles, so we know a thing or two about baby teeth.
It might seem like these tiny pearly whites don’t matter all that much since they’ll eventually fall out. However, the primary teeth (also known as baby teeth, milk teeth or deciduous teeth) play an essential role in your child’s development.
Let’s take a closer look at the purpose of baby teeth and why they’re so important.
The Purpose of Baby Teeth
From birth, children already have 20 primary teeth waiting beneath their gums, ready to make their grand entrance when teething kicks off. Typically, kids’ teeth eruption starts between six and 12 months old, and by age three, children have all of their baby teeth. These baby teeth serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth.
Having baby teeth is nature’s way of ensuring kids can bite, chew, talk and smile before their jaw is ready for their adult teeth. When do kids start losing teeth? Most little ones start losing baby teeth around age six, paving the way for their permanent counterparts.
Why Do We Have Baby Teeth and Adult Teeth?
According to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, humans, like the majority of mammals, are diphyodonts. Diphyo…what? Well, it means we grow two sets of teeth in our lifetime.
It makes sense. If babies were born with skulls large enough to fit all of the permanent teeth, giving birth would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for moms. Instead, babies have smaller skulls and jaws, perfectly sized to fit the primary teeth.
Of course, kids grow. By about age 13, the jaw is big enough, in theory, to accommodate all 32 permanent teeth. Baby teeth act as a guide, showing these permanent teeth where to come in, so they can erupt in the correct position.
That’s why, if a primary tooth is lost early due to decay or injury, it can throw off this process, leading to dental crowding and misalignment when the permanent teeth start coming in. In these cases, a child may need a dental space maintainer to hold space and prevent orthodontic issues.
Are Baby Teeth Important?
You bet! Many people underestimate the importance of primary teeth. Beyond just saving space for the permanent teeth, the baby teeth play other roles, including:
- Helping with speech development by allowing kids to properly form sounds and enunciate clearly;
- Ensuring kids can bite and chew a wide variety of foods, so they can get the nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy;
- Aiding in the development of the facial structure, including the jaw and chewing muscles;
- Smiling! A healthy smile builds confidence and self-esteem, which is super important during their school years.
Taking Care of Baby Teeth
Even though baby teeth don’t stick around forever, they can still get cavities. In fact, a baby can get a cavity as soon as their first tooth erupts. Cavities can lead to pain and the need for dental work. Decay can also affect the eruption of the permanent teeth.
Taking good care of baby teeth ensures they stay in place and do their jobs until it’s their natural time to fall out. Here are some pointers for protecting kids’ growing smiles:
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends babies have their first dentist visit at age one. These early appointments establish a baseline, ensure your child’s oral development is on track and help your little one get used to the sights and sounds at the dental office.
- Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they get their first tooth. Use a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush and a tiny smear (no bigger than a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste.
- Begin flossing once a day when any two teeth are touching.
- Avoid giving your child a bottle with milk, formula or juice in bed. This can lead to baby bottle tooth decay, or early childhood cavities.
The Bottom Line
Humans have baby teeth so they can bite, chew and speak until their jaw grows large enough to accommodate the permanent teeth. The baby teeth are essential for oral and facial development, as well as saving space for the adult teeth.
Set Your Child Up for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
If you’re looking for gentle, expert dental care for your child’s smile, book an appointment at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry in Naperville today! Our experienced dentists will help you keep your child’s baby teeth strong and healthy.